Page 45 of Doc Defence

Hel laughed to herself. Give this man any form of drug, or it turns out alcohol as well, and it was like a truth serum. She was tempted to ask if he liked her but decided as he was a patient now, it would be an unprofessional thing to do while he was vulnerable.

Barney arrived back at the ambulance, poking his head inside, he enquired cheekily,

“Lovers tiff all sorted,”

Hel glared at him but didn’t say anything, hoping Frost hadn’t heard it too.

“Who are lovers?” Frost perked up on the bed, his eyes sharpening a little from their glazed expression. “Is this your boyfriend?” He waved an accusing finger at Barney. “You said you were single as a pringle.”

“Oh my god. Will you stop?” She pointed at Frost. “No more talking until you’re sober.” Then she gave the bird to Barney, “And that is what you deserve.”

“He’s all checked in at the desk,” Barney helpfully added, obviously knowing better than to push Hel any further.

“Thanks. Can you guys unload and bring him in? I’ll find out from the in-charge where you need to take him.” Hel waved a warning finger at Frost. “Are you going to behave?”

“Yes,” he said, and his shoulders deflated.

She turned to leave, then spied his backpack on the floor. “Any more contraband in there?” She shook the whiskey she had clutched in her hand at him.

“No.” He hung his head.

Hel poked the bag, which was heavy with something bottle-shaped in it, and lifted an eyebrow.

“Yes, I have more whiskey,” he muttered.

Hel grabbed the rucksack off the floor. “I’m going to put your bag in my locker. And this…” she shook the half-drunk bottle again, “is going down the sink.”

“No, I—“ He looked at the expensive liquor longingly.

Hel interrupted, “You are not keeping a bottle of backwash whisky. That’s disgusting.”

“Okay,” Frost said meekly.

Hel slung the backpack over her shoulder, climbed out of the ambulance and headed back into the emergency department.

The in-charge nurse stopped her as she passed. “Who do you want to look after your boyfriend? I hear he’s a good-looking and strong young man.” She waggled her eyebrows.

Hel counted to ten before she answered. “He’s one of the ice hockey players on the team I look after. He’s had an accident and is drunk as a lord. Can you put him in one of the major beds, and I’ll come sort him out. If he gives you any problems, tell him you’re getting me.”

“He’s not your boyfriend?” The nurse sounded very disappointed.

“Nope.” Hel shook her head emphatically. “Now, I just need to get rid of this.” She shook the half-empty whisky bottle, sloshing a little onto the floor as she did it. “And put this backpack away.” She hoisted it up onto her shoulder a bit more.

Hel had to check on two of her patients and go over another four cases with the juniors before she had time to see Frost. By the time she got there, he had a drip in, had been given some intravenous fluids and anti-sickness drugs, changed into a hospital gown and was lying in his bed sleeping peacefully.

She took the opportunity to stare at him. She liked him. A lot. Even his drunken escapades hadn’t put her off.

Shaking herself, she stepped into the cubicle. She didn’t know the man. She needed to pull herself together.

“Frost,” she said quietly, gently shaking his arm. Trying not to think too hard about what his skin felt like under her fingers.

“Hmmmm,” he mumbled but didn’t wake up.

Hel picked up one of his hands and examined the skinned knuckles, observing the other one was bleeding too. She didn’t notice when his breathing pattern changed as he woke up, but she did notice when his big hand wrapped around hers.

Her eyes flew up and met his, which were now much clearer than when he had first arrived, the green nearly back to its normal vivid brightness.

“Hi,” Frost’s voice was gravelly.

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